As long as he's actually a puppy! I can't tell you how many times someone excuses their dog's behavior with "he's just a puppy", then when you ask how old, it's NOT a puppy. Yesterday a neighbor used that excuse for his dog's behavior and I said "Oh, mine too! How old is your guy"? He said "he's two". I said "Dude, I don't you can hitch your cart to that horse anymore"! LOL When he found out how old Otto is, he said "Wow, well I guess I should be pretty embarrassed" - YEP!

I do as well find it mildly offensive when I tell people I have a schnauzer. "Oh he must be pretty barky and snappy". I always "snap" back, actually he is very well mannered and has a "no bark" command. I even had a close friend ask me why I choose such an awful breed... I was not a happy camper.

The vet has even commented how quiet and well mannered Merlin is. The only time he has growled at someone was when they snuck up behind him, picked him up and put him on his shoulder. He let out a little like grrr ghhhh. Of course the person put him down and was like.. what a mean little thing. I stuck up for him and said " I am pretty sure I wouldn't like being surprised picked up by a stranger". I just now tell people to not pick him up, as I don't want it become unpleasant for him.

Even though we have a mini and a standard , I've unintentionally insulted other mini owners. People see us and ask the difference between the mini and standard and my response is usually that the standard really doesn't bark like the mini. I then get a disgusted look and a comment that their's doesn't bark. So now, I usually just say that the standard doesn't bark and I don't compare her to the mini.

Miniature Schnauzers aren't really a popular breed here, so many people don't know the stigma attached to them, unless you go to a pet store. But I have noticed, as soon as I say "Mini" they make some comment about "ankle biters" and "yappy". I tell them that que is not a yappy dog, but when he does bark its high-pitch enough to make you jump out your skin! I also make sure to add that he'd do MUCH more damage than an ankle bite if someone were to try to break in our house

I always have people telling me at the dog park how surprised they are at how friendly archimedes is, and that schnauzers arent friendly and only ever like their owner. Couldnt be further from the truth IMO.

anytime someone comments about my barky two, i tell them they are schnauzers and were bred to be watch dogs for their masters farms. i have noticed they do more than just the standard barking. they actually talk with their barks, and i have been able to decipher the meaning of their different barks. i have accepted that they will always be a little more barky then other breeds.

When I told a friend I was getting a he immediately said, "Oh, I don't like them very much -- they're barky, snappy little dogs" (he has a Standard Poodle). But Suki in fact rarely barks. When we walk around the neighborhood, there are a gazillion dogs barking from behind the doors and windows of the houses we pass -- and I can assure you they're not ! Big dogs, little dogs -- I live in a neighborhood with a lot of dogs! Of all of them, Suki is actually one of the quietest. As Mia has described with her Winston, when all the dogs start barking up and down the street, Suki just stands there listening.

The one thing that will cause her to bark, though, are squirrels. This morning, she was out on the screened patio and a squirrel was taunting her from the trunk of a nearby coconut tree. The squirrel was in fact making much more of a racket than Suki -- he was going on and on. So Suki let him know just how lucky he was to be out of her range by barking right back at him. They were having a real slagging match! It was too cute and I wish I'd been able to videotape it....

I guess my Billy is pretty barky. It always makes me laugh when a doorbell rings on TV and he starts,and then the bird says "Whats the matter? " And he wil sit and look at my husband and he makes these rumble noises in his chest. I swear he is talking. You can almost hear words. No denying they are smart.

My had very distinctive barks, mostly at the window looking out. Squirrel bark and passing big dog bark were loudest. Also, alerting if someone on property or car pulled in. Like that part

Would love Indi to be therapy dog. Time will tell. I can check with our local hospital. Peter did you post it somewhere how you got yours listed as "medical?" I can get companion dog certificate eventually. My Willie was a great "Therapy Dog" at my mom's home. Never barked there. Just visited all the rooms that would let him in.

I'm trying to teach Roux to not bark and to let people come tell her hi first. Other people aren't very cooperative with this though and will stop and pet her anyway. Evan if I say "no Roux, they come tell you hi, you don't tell them hi first" hinting to the humans of course.